Enjoy a weekend of St Patrick’s celebrations in Belfast

Belfast is providing something for everyone during the St Patrick’s weekend with a spectacle of colour and music and a cornucopia of other attractions to enchant and enjoy.

These include the traditional St Patrick’s Day Parade led by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, a concert at Custom House Square, events from Féile an Earraigh; the Spar Craic 10k race and two saints joining forces with St Patrick’s events at St George’s Market.

The Lord Mayor said: “We have an exciting line-up and hope visitors will really make a weekend of it with even more to see and do than usual.

“Beat Carnival has worked with us to create a colourful, exciting, fun parade that will create ‘oohs and aahhs’ as it passes by and encourage everyone’s feet to get tapping to the rhythm. The theme is ‘City of Equals’ so besides the eye-catching floats and costumes there will be global musicians alongside community groups.

“St Patrick’s weekend is a chance to soak up the city’s lively atmosphere its hidden gems, fantastic food and drink, shopping and other attractions,” said Councillor Hargey.

“The Craic 10k earlier in the morning always bring a lot of people onto the streets to support the runners and the atmosphere around the city just builds from there.

“Let’s make St Patrick’s weekend the one to remember in Belfast,” added the Lord Mayor.

The parade starts from Belfast City Hall at 12.30pm on Sunday, 17 March, and will travel along Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street and Donegall Street before finishing at Writers Square.

Gates for the Custom House Square concert opens at 1.15pm on Sunday afternoon and access will be first come first served with no ticket required. Headliners will be The Vengaboys singing some of their multi- platinum hits along with traditional music from ‘The Whistlin’ Donkeys’ Irish dancing with the Fusion Fighters, County Down singing sensation, Catherine McGrath, who recently supported Michael Bublé in concert, and one of Ireland’s finest guitarists, Ryan Sheridan.

Orla Ross, Agency Sales Director at Q Radio said: “Q Radio is delighted to be the official media partner of this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebration.

“There is a fantastic line up of acts in place for this year and we look forward to being part of the spectacular celebrations, we pride ourselves on our daily output of local content for local people and we believe the event will be a day of real celebration for local culture and community.”

St George’s Market will be open 10am-4pm on St Patrick’s Day offering a taste of traditional Irish food, music and dance. Try a taste of this and that with every stall offering something different to eye, eat and enjoy or find a bargain among the goods on offer.

In addition, Féile an Earraigh (Spring Festival) which is running from 11-17 March will also have events in the run up to St Patrick’s day, including concerts, tours, walks, debates/discussions drama exhibitions and family events.